boot camp coach
American JENNIFER BLAU shares her journey from finance to fitness - spearheading a boot camp for women, helping them regain their pre-pregnancy physique.
TF: What does your job involve?
JB: I'm the Managing Director of FitMoms Wellness Coaching and Personal Training. We conduct weight loss boot camps and workshops and also encourage personal wellness through weight loss consultations. Six years ago, before I moved to Singapore from Australia, I worked on the trading floor of the NASDAQ stock exchange for Bank of America.
JB: When I was pregnant with twins, I came across comments such as, "expect to gain a huge amount of weight" and "get ready to fit into your husband's fat clothes!". As you can imagine, I was absolutely horrified. I started FitMoms to cater to busy mums - just like myself.
TF: How did you develop a passion for fitness?
JB: When I was six years old, my mother signed me up for soccer. I loved the exhilaration of running around, working with teammates and the natural endorphin rush. I've since been involved in various types of sports including running, cycling and field hockey. I even met my husband doing a marathon!
TF: Highs and lows of Singapore?
JB: I love the warm, tropical climate and the cultural diversity Singapore has to offer. I'm a mum of three and my children have become culturally aware. I now regard them as truly global citizens. But being away from your home country can be tough on a family. Thankfully, Singapore offers the support of live-in home help. While it's not the same as having family around, my helper has been invaluable.
TF: Any survival tips for living in Singapore?
JB: Join a support group! There are many organisations and clubs, so find one you're comfortable with. Also, give Singapore a chance. Be positive and relish in the diversity of the cultures here - you'll learn so much.
TF: Favourite local hot spots?
JB: Jim Thompson Restaurant (www.jimthompson.com) has great Thai food and mojitos.
Kazbar (www.kazbar.com) for Middle Eastern cuisine. And for the kids - The Tanglin Tree (www.thetanglintree.com.sg) has a tree-house, an outside play area, is reasonably priced and the kids' meals are always served with a salad.
FitMoms Wellness Coaching and Personal Training is a six-week boot camp which combines good nutrition, healthy eating and adequate exercise, to help you achieve your fitness goals and transform your physical wellbeing, mental outlook and confidence. As part of her coaching, Jennifer Blau, who's also a Master Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), uses NLP to adjust her clients' manner of thinking to help make permanent and lasting changes in fitness, nutrition and lifestyle.
Tel: 8161 2520, Email: fitmomms@gmail.com
Posted July 2011
